Management

Back Exercises: Cat and Cow

Choose a preferred language
  • Start on your hands and knees. Try to place your hands just slightly in front of your shoulders and place your knees directly under your hips. Look down slightly between your hands, which are lined up with the fingertips. Keep your back straight with no rounding or sagging.

  • Relax your belly (abdominal) and buttocks muscles, lift your head, and let your back sag. Be sure to keep your weight evenly distributed. Don’t sit back on your hips. This is called the cow position.

  • Hold for  5 seconds.

  • Return to starting position.

  • Tuck your head and lift (arch) your back. This is called the cat position.

  • Hold for 5 seconds.

  • Return to starting position.

  • Repeat  5 times.

Person on all fours with back straight.

Person on all fours with back sagging.

Person on all fours with arched back.

Online Medical Reviewer: Rajadurai Samnishanth

Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Turley Jr PA-C

Online Medical Reviewer: Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN

Date Last Reviewed: 07/01/2025

© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Related Articles
Read article
Orthopedics
Wall Squats

Try these wall squats to strengthen your lower body.

Read article
Orthopedics
Back Exercises: Knee Lift

Learn how to do a knee lift to help strengthen your core muscles.

Read article
Orthopedics
Back Exercises: Neck and Torso Rotation

Learn how to do these exercises to stretch and strengthen your neck muscles.

Read article
Orthopedics
Exercises to Increase Agility: Side Steps

Learn how to do side steps to increase your agility.